| So you've made the decision to install a home | | | | |
| network and you're roaring and ready to go | | | | Network installation |
| with it. But have you done it before? Perhaps | | | | |
| the dreams of not fighting over who can go | | | | The network installation part can be either |
| online next, streamlining your office, and | | | | easy or complicated. It depends on how you |
| sharing files with other computers in your | | | | look at it. You have to have an internet |
| home has you a bit excited. But do you know | | | | connection and you have to know your network |
| what type of network is best for you? Do you | | | | type. You also have to know what computers in |
| know the basic principles to installing a | | | | your home are wireless capable and which are |
| network in your home? Do you know how to set | | | | not in case you choose to do the upgrades |
| up a wireless network? If you answered "no" | | | | instead of installing wire throughout your |
| to any of these questions, then perhaps you | | | | home. If you're setting up a wireless |
| should read on. | | | | network, the easiest way to connect is if you |
| | | | have Windows Connect Technology through your |
| Network types | | | | Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 2000, or |
| | | | Windows 98/ME. Then again, you could be |
| First of all, a network allows you to have | | | | running a different operating system, which |
| multiple computers connected to the same | | | | can make setting up your network a bit more |
| internet connection, share files between the | | | | difficult than if you were running on a |
| computers in your home, print documents | | | | Windows operating system. |
| through a printer that is connected to a | | | | |
| different computer, and share files that are | | | | An alternative |
| stored on other computers. It seems like a | | | | |
| dream come true, doesn't it? But what is the | | | | Then again, you could probably save yourself |
| best type of network for you? You have to | | | | a lot of headaches by hiring a professional |
| make the decision of whether or not you want | | | | to take care of the installation process. A |
| a wireless network or a wired network. If you | | | | professional will do an assessment to |
| choose wireless, you have to know how to set | | | | determine what type of equipment you need to |
| it up so that all of the computers can talk | | | | give you a network that is complete. If any |
| wirelessly to the network router. If not all | | | | of your computers need what is called a |
| of the computers are wireless capable, then | | | | network adapter to become wireless capable, |
| you may have to move to a wired network. With | | | | the installer can help you with that. Once |
| a wired network you have to worry about | | | | all of the equipment is determined and |
| running wire throughout your home or | | | | acquired, the network installer can then run |
| investing in upgrades for your computers to | | | | wire or set up your wireless network for you. |
| make them wireless. | | | | You'll be connected in no time and the only |
| | | | thing you have to do is reach in your wallet. |
| You also have to know what type of activities | | | | Fortunately, home network installation is not |
| you and your family are going to be doing on | | | | an expensive endeavor and it takes a lot off |
| all of the computers. This is because you | | | | of your mind. You don't want to buy all of |
| want to invest in a router that can handle | | | | the wrong equipment, hook it up, and then |
| the load. If the router cannot handle the | | | | find nothing works. If you're not sure, turn |
| load, then you're going to have computers | | | | to a professional so that you know everything |
| within your home getting booted off of the | | | | is right. |
| network. | | | | |